Most Fragrant Shrubs

Butterfly Bush

• The butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia) flowers in shades of lavender and purple and may grow 8 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. This shrub prefers sun or partial shade and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 7. It is considered an annual in Zone 4. The butterfly bush is a deciduous shrub with a rapid growth rate. It prefers loose, organic-rich soil but tolerates some clay soils. The butterfly bush is cold hardy and a frequent choice for gardeners creating a butterfly garden. Some experts consider it the best all-around butterfly-attracting plant.

Star Magnolia

• The star magnolia (Magnolia kobus var.stellata) is one of the hardiest magnolias. It offers heavily fragranced white, cream or gray blossoms. It is a small tree or large shrub and grows 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. This dense bush grows branches close to the ground and features a rounded shape. Branches near the ground may be trimmed to create a more tree-like structure. White flowers appear in early spring before the foliage. While not a native of North America, it thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 8. The leafless winter silhouette is attractive against a wall when highlighted with landscape lighting.

Lilac

• The lilac (Syringa spp.) exhibits purple, white, lavender or pink blossoms with an enchanting fragrance. Blossoms appear in late spring but only last several weeks. This shrub grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Lilacs require full sun and moist, well-drained soils. A native of China and Korea, lilacs feature an oval shape. Foliage is green in the summer and reddish-purple in the winter. Lilacs grow best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 7. They tolerate wind and alkaline soils. Lilacs are ideal as borders, hedges, screens or as specimen plants. The cultivar 'Miss Kim' is sold as a compact variety that presents lavender-blue flower clusters.